Thanksgiving/Fall 2014 Lookbook

With Thanksgiving a day away, and Fall still upon us, I put together a lookbook or some of my favorite Fall/winter-y looks.

Thanksgiving/Fall 2014 by everybat on polyvore.com

I'm Not The Kind Of Fool Who's Gonna Sing To You About Stars

Sunday
♥"Gay OK" tee: Buffalo Exchange (originally American Apparel but they're icky)
♥Skirt" H&M
♥Bird cage necklace: Pier One

Monday
 ♥Sweater: gift
♥Leggings: thrift
♥Peter Pan collar necklace: consignment

Thursday
♥Nirvana tee: Hot Topic
♥Skirt: H&M
♥Alice In Wonderland necklace: Hot Topic
♥Flower crown: DIY

Merry Happy

   Over this short term break I've taken a whole lot has happened. Without a boring intro that you probably won't read anyways, I'm just going to get right into it.
   On November 14, I went to see the This Is Our Youth Times Talk at the Times Center in the city- the entire experience was pretty surreal and amazing. I got to the center fairly early since whenever I end up in general admission of anything my anxiety sky rockets and I feel the need to be about a day ahead to the event. I had the pleasure of standing in the cold, alone for a good hour or so because my mind came up with the weird thought that maybe if I became a sensible person and spent that hour somewhere else, the line would become enormous. I was finally let in and my long waiting really paid off because not only was I front and center, when Michael Cera entered the theatre through the front (unlike Kieren and Tavi who went in back) I was standing right in front of him and got to say a really excited "hello!" (he waved back and smiled) before he went in. The actual talk was insane and all three of them were hilarious and so well spoken. One of my favorite parts was when the interviewer played a scene from the show (all three of them were in extreme discomfort seeing themselves acting) and once it was over, Tavi says,
"It's like watching The Big Bang Theory!" I also got to ask the last question of the night in the Q&A and before I went on, Tavi and I made eye contact and she smiled at me! Sadly, I wasn't allowed to take any photos but I believe the talk was recorded on the Times website.
    The Sunday of that weekend, I went into Madison Square park to teach myself how to draw a tree because the ones there look oddly geometric which I think is wonderful. This quickly turned into a session in which I drew some strange tree like things and then went into getting frustrated. I don't know why I felt the need to share this so much- it was just really different from anything I usually do. The park was quiet and therefor I could sit in the middle of the empty fountain and draw all the shitty pictures I wanted.
    Overall, things have been absolutely fantastic.

Working Little Machines

Sunday
♥Sweater: Nordstrom BP
♥Skirt: H&M 
♥Tights: Hot Topic

Monday
♥Jacket: DIY
♥The Beatles tee: thrift
♥Necklace: Forever21

Tuesday
♥Cami: Forever21 Basics
♥Skirt: H&M
♥Cardigan: thrift
♥Peter Pan collar necklace: consignment

Wednesday
♥Sweater: Forever21
♥Pearls: Forever21

New Kinda New

 

   After years of following Bethan Leadley, she has finally released her EP, New Kinda New, and no doubt did she blow my expectations. I fell in love with her first ever album, Unrequited Love, in seventh grade and as extraordinary as it is, there are so many improvements Bethan made to her music that I couldn't be more proud of. For starters, Unrequited Love is rather depressing and though I loved all the songs on there, variety wasn't much a thing whereas New Kinda New expresses a wide array of emotions in every song which is something I feel really important for an artist to do.
   Bethan announced her EP two weeks ago even though she hinted at in multiple videos and I was quick to preorder (there was a signed poster involved, how could you not?) and released the lyric video for "Left To Broken" last week. It featured YouTubers such as Evan Edinger, Nikki and Sammy, Tom Ridgewell, Tessa Violet, and many other lovely lovely people. After the EP dropped on the third, she put out the music video for "Safe Lined" which is also gorgeous and she looks fab in.
   Onto the actual music in this EP, the first track is "Safe Lined" which is rather upbeat and has a simple guitar chord progression but really interesting percussion along with a loud chorus that showcases Bethan's gorgeous vocals. The production value has gone up a couple notches for New Kinda New with backup harmonies that gave the song a bit more personality. The lyrics are somewhat simple but you don't need awesome words to go along with a just plain fun song. Next is "Left To Broken" which has much more emotion that is A+. I like that she doesn't put in the simple rhymes she could have snagged and went with much more interesting message. The instrumental is very minimalistic and that does good for her voice that is killing it. The third track is my all time favorite, "Don't Wake Me Up" because though it has a sad vibe to it, the chorus is loud and beautiful and jaw dropping. The backup vocals are perfect and the entire song is incredibly powerful and strong. Lastly, is "Alright To Be Alright". Don't get me wrong I love Bethan's poppy voice but this has such a jazzy vocal feel that is insane- especially at the pre-chorus, she slays it and performs such a beautiful ballad.
   Overall, I am such a fan of New Kinda New and would recommend it 100%- gold star Bethan.

I Think I'm In Friend Love With You

   I've been getting emotional for really strange reasons over the past couple days. I teared up at John's early birthday party and I didn't know why because I wasn't sad and I've never cried happy tears in my life except for the first time I met Tavi but other than that, this is a new feeling. I love so many things and I can't even imagine having them taken from me because everything is working out finally. Everything about my friends and family and even self has been going smooth and OK and I'm at peace with everything.

My birthday present to John that I'm more than proud of (thank you Housing Works for three dollar books)

    I got a package from Fiona the other day for my birthday that made me so happy and excited. It was mainly made up of really weird and wonderful things such as stickers, a rainbow loom bracelet, a pin that said "Bad Attitude" and other objects. My all time favorite present she gave me would have to be a book called I Think I'm In Friend Love With You because it's beautifully drawn and sums up my relationship with her. There was also a two page letter inside and it made me tear up yet again because I love Fee with all my heart.

Until next time,

Dear 7th Grade Ann

Dear seventh grade Ann, 

    This previous version of you has just turned thirteen and in a phase in which you simultaneously think you're the shit and hate every single thing about yourself. You have a grand total of one friend (not counting those on the Internet) and are just beginning to figure out things that you feel really passionate about and even though you'll keep some of these values and loves and others you'll cringe at, it doesn't matter. You're at the tip of the iceberg with a plunge into your love of music- you're cool older cousin showed you All Time Low and this single band has been a gateway into a plethora of middle school angst bands and attitude. You really really really like ALL CAPS but god damn are you going to be furious next year when you figure out how awful a person Luke Conard is.
   Present day Ann is extraordinarily different and that's not so bad because (and I say this with love) thirteen year old you has not fully developed into the Ann I wanted- not to say that the present day version is. You have a bit more confidence and battle scars because even though she's slightly older, that doesn't mean she's dramatically smarter.
   You know your "Twitter Twin" Fiona? You're going to meet her at a thrift shop in Madison and it's going to be one of the best days ever. You will walk in the rain together and giggle and talk non stop. She'll be there when you're really upset because your best friends at the time are pushing you away and of course, there's no shortage of stupid text exchanges.
   Oh and about your ultimate role model in the whole world, Tavi Gevinson... You're going to meet her not once, not twice, but three times (and you're seeing her next week). You'll sob the first time and the second time it'll be like seeing an old friend. By the third time, she recognizes you and you'll hug and she'll tear up over the jacket you made her.

First time

Second time

third time!

She'll also write this in your yearbook

(You'll also meet Arabelle Siciardi and your mouth will be full of candy and it'll be slightly embarrassing but she will be super nice)

   Can we also address your hair? You're going to make a really dumb decision and cut it all off and when you're unhappy with that you will make it shorter and then dye it a bunch of colors and regret having short hair all the time even though you still kind of think you're the shit.

   And about the whole sexuality thing, you cut to the chase and accepted the fact that you're single handily one of the gayest people you know. You're going to come out to your family and they won't care and everything will be exactly the same except you can date cute girls without feeling scared. I know you're a little insecure right now and I'm sorry about that but don't worry, you're going to find the coolest friends in the world. YES FRIENDS! Seventh grade will be rough and you're going to walk out with a total of around five friends but it's OK because you're happy and excited about summer camp and the future (which you should be!). 

   The beginning of eighth grade is going to suck. You've never been one to sugar coat anything Ann so I'm going to warn you to be prepared to lose some friends but stand your ground and don't take any shit because though you won't be able to realize it, you're a badass bitch. By the end of the school year, you'll have just enough friends and be SO happy with them. 

   By the Summer before ninth grade, you'll skip camp and go to FIT in the city. You'll fall in love with the school and New York and find the place where you feel the most accepted and meet some amazing friends. You'll go there over the school year and love all of it. 

   Speaking of cool things, you're going to figure out your love for making music. Not only will you learn guitar and ukulele but have a somewhat decent singing voice and feel like a complete badass whenever you perform. I know that's pretty weird since all thirteen year old Ann can do is the cup song. 

   And about this blog, it'll become the thing you love the most that you've created. You'll meet awesome people and fall in love what you do on here- your content will raise up in quality and you will appreciate it so much.

  Anyways Ann, I've got to go. It's not that I have anything important to do it's just I think you've heard enough and I want you to know that I realize how shitty things are right now and I'm not saying life is perfect at the moment, but it'll be pretty fucking awesome. 

My Handbag Essentials (Rue La La)

Hello How Fitting babes! Today's post is quite cool because around last week, found this handbag guide from Ru La La, a company that sells really adorable clothing and hand bags. So here are my handbag essentials!

♥This is my handbag- I got it from Macy's over the Summer when they were having a massive sale so I also got a Summer purse along with it. A sturdy bag is really important with me because I am constantly in New York for FIT precollege classes and need something comfortable (and still cute) that will fit everything I need for the long day in the city. This handbag is absolutely perfect for me; it has two pockets on the outside, three on the inside, and lots of space to carry around all my essentials. It also has a detachable cross body strap that I love because my hands can be free while I'm on long walks around New York. 

♥Wow really awesome Photo Booth picture there Ann (I'm working on a fifteen year old budget here). My phone is the most important thing to carry around- it is my GPS, tool to track when the next train is, and I seriously don't know what I would do without it. I also mainly wear skirts and dresses and as cute as they are, they have a lack of pockets so I just throw it in on top of all the other stuff in my purse. 

♥Yet another thing I couldn't leave at home is my FIT ID card (complete with a WONDERFUL picture of me) which I keep in one of the front pockets of my handbag. I like how easy it is to get to so I can get to it quickly to show security. 

♥I hold the basic things you would in a wallet: money, my debit card, coupons, and train tickets. I got this during the same Macy's sale and it's by one of my all time favorite designers, Betsey Johnson.

♥In this cosmetic bag, I keep my beauty essentials: a headband and ponytail holder, one tinted lip balm, an EOS, deodorant, hand sanitizer, an orange stick, and most importantly, my headphones for the trains rides and long walks. 

♥I usually end up with quite a lot of clippings since in my styling class, we are making mood boards and get to rip up magazines so I snag a couple pictures to hang up in my room. This week's collection is from an edition of People magazine from 2006 complete with Josh Groban, Matt Bomer (pre-coming out), and an ad that says "Ideas are sexy too". 

♥Speaking of magazines, I'm always carrying at least two around. Right now, I have New York Magazine with Tavi's face on the cover (I'm doing a full on board all for her) and Teen Vogue because they always have good photo shoots I can cut up for boards in the future. 

♥Since I'm taking an arts class instead of lecture at FIT, I need art supplies. In this really cute Forever21 cosmetic bag, I store everything I need- I also have quite a lot of pens because you should always have one of two laying around. 

♥My favorite part of riding the train is getting so much time to just read. I always keep a book in my handbag- right now, I'm in the middle of Orange Is The New Black.

♥Just in case I finish the first book, I keep a second one in there. Right now, I have Style A To Zoe.

♥Fun fact here but wear glasses (only when I really need to read or see something- I hate wearing them!) and keep them in one of the inside pockets. 

Running With The Boys

Sunday
*The black and blonde era has ended and we're met with the rein of purple! My scene queen dreams have been fulfilled and I am now one step closer to becoming Ramona Flowers.
♥Dress: thrift
♥Bird cage necklace: Pier One

Monday

♥Brand New The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me tee: Hot Topic

♥Skirt: H&M

♥Necklace: Forever21

Wednesday
♥Sweater: gift
♥Peter Pan collar necklace: consignment
♥Pentagram necklace: Etsy
♥Flower crown: Vivi (I felt like a serious pixie that day)

Thursday
♥Top: thrift
♥Halloween vest: thrift
♥Skirt: H&M
♥Bird cage necklace: Pier One